Fall Wine Routes: Burgundy, France

The Burgundy wine region is a great experience for wine lovers. It’s also the perfect destination for a fall trip. There are many sides to Burgundy, with the winding rivers and canals, dense forests, lakes and hillsides. It’s full of gorgeous towns. And for those who prefer sipping over exploring? There is a world famous amount of great wines, good food and unparalleled restaurants.

This month, we are focusing on some of our favorite destinations for a fall wine trip. The great thing about wine areas? They never stop moving! Many destinations might close or slow down in the fall or winter. However, wine regions instead keep moving after the harvest and stay open through the “off season”. Burgundy is one of our favorite areas of France, any time of year. This week, we share some of our favorite tips and ideas for a tailor made vacation here.

Getting to know Burgundy

Burgundy is a historical region in east-central France. Foremost, its famous for its Burgundy wines as well as pinot noirs and Chardonnay, Chablis and Beaujolais. The area is crisscrossed by a network of canals and studded with grand châteaux, some now luxury hotels. The capital, Dijon, of mustard fame, is home to the imposing Palace of the Dukes, where the distinguished Musée des Beaux-Arts was established in 1787.

Food, Wine, and Sites

Burgundy is one of France’s main wine-producing areas. Pinot Noir and Chardonnay grapes make up its red and white wines. The region is divided into the Côte-d’Or, where the most expensive and prized Burgundies are found. To follow, there is also Beaujolais, Chablis, the Côte Chalonnaise and Mâcon. These wines have an incredible reputation for quality. They are often produced in small quantities. Consequently, this has led to high demand and high prices. Some Burgundies ranking among the most expensive wines in the world.

Furthermore, the cuisine is as wonderful as the wine. The region is famous for Dijon mustard, Charolais beef, Bresse chicken. Dishes like coq au vin and beef bourguignon are known throughout the world.

Visitors in Burgundy can also see sites like the Rock of Solutré. The gorgeous village of Beaune has the Hospices de Beaune. Also, the Ducal Palace in Dijon and the city of Dijon are wonderful sites to see. To conclude, there are many Renaissance and mediaeval châteaus, castles, churches and abbeys.

Where to stay

Hotel Le Cep is our choice for a place to stay in Burgundy. A number of historic buildings link together to make Hôtel Le Cep & Spa Marie De Bourgogne, a unique hideaway set around romantic courtyards in the capital of Burgundy’s wine region. Famous as a gastronome’s stopover, the hotel restaurant is famous for its traditional gourmet cuisine and a wine list with over 70 Burgundies by the glass. The addition of the fabulous new “Marie de Bourgogne” spa makes this the perfect spot in the beautiful town of Beaune.

Tailor made tours

Private cooking class in Burgundy

Our Burgundy cooking class is a wonderful way to explore the gastronomy of the region. First, a two-hour hands-on cooking class in our Atelier kitchen. After, a Champagne apéritif followed by a seven-course menu including a local cheese course. To conclude, a Burgundian wine pairing hand-selected from our wine shop.

To start, everyone will don an apron, standing behind their cutting board as we talk through the day’s menu. Continuing, will explain and demonstrate the classic French culinary techniques used in the day’s menu. After, everyone will get to work prepping the ingredients and participating in the hands-on cooking class.

Once the cooking is complete, guests head upstairs to our light-filled dining room. Finally, Champagne flutes are filled and toast one another in anticipation of the long French lunch ahead. The menu is constantly changing, depending on the season. Furthermore, it is always full of new surprises from our favorite artisan food producers and from The Cook’s Atelier kitchen garden.

Burgundy wine tours

There are an incredible amount of customized wine tours that we can arrange for you.

First, follow in the footsteps of François Mitterrand, former French president, who every year offered a solemn and enchanting parenthesis at the Roche de Solutré. A majestic landscape and timeless ritual in the South of Burgundy.

Or, perhaps, on the ‘ChampsÉlysées’ of Burgundy, the Côte de Nuits rolls out a Pinot Noir red carpet. Indeed, a tiny terrestrial paradise, a multitude of terroirs and a prodigious diversity of parcels and vines that are well known all over the world.

You travel in a luxury private vehicle, accompanied by a bilingual guide – a lover of Burgundy wines and local specialist. Our wine tours always consist of a day of visits and 2 private tastings (white and red wines, young and old vintages). For these reasons, its one of our favorite experiences for wine lovers!

Fall wine routes, tailor made

Burgundy is a great choice for a tailor made wine lover’s vacation. It’s also easily added on to a longer French itinerary.

There are so many reasons why working with Bella Vita is the right choice. First, our ability to create 100% custom itineraries including accommodations, guides, drivers, and experiences. Secondly, these itineraries are based around your travel preferences and our first-hand experiences and knowledge. Thirdly, we have developed a vast network of partners in the destinations we send clients. Additionally, we form our own opinions based solely on-location research. And last but not least, we work with partners who provide the only highest standard of quality and service.

We can add or tailor anything you wish in this trip. We hope we gave some travel inspiration for wine lovers – we cannot wait to show you what we can do in France!